Reviving Polaroid--Harman and The Impossible Project

[david b]

According the the BJP, it looks like some b&w 8x10 polaroid film could start being made again in 2010 but the more interesting news is that Harman and the Impossible Project have some film for the 600 and SX-70 cameras in development right now.

Also noted is that 779 film will be available at everyone's favorite trendy clothing store, Urban Outfitters, in about a week.

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=867790

 

[guyjr]

Ugh, the Urban Outfitters thing appears to be a special one-time deal to offload remaining stock -

http://www.gadgetreview.com/2009/08/polaroids-last-run-comes-by-way-of-urban-outfitters.html

 

[brofkand]

The problem with the Impossible Project product being sold in Urban Outfitters is it will be very expensive. Probably so expensive to where I won't buy it.

I read on an article in NYT a few weeks ago they're expecting a 10-pack of film to be $25, and a 20-pack to be $40. I Could be slightly off with those numbers, but I know the film will be much more expensive than when Polaroid produced it.

Hopefully if it takes off they'll be able to produce it more cheaply and the price will come down to something more similar to pre-cancellation levels.

But Urban Outfitters....yuck. They sell Holgas there too. I walked into the store once to look at their cameras....it is a very very strange store. Definitely not my cup of tea.

 

[Muihlinn]

Also noted is that 779 film will be available at everyone's favorite trendy clothing store, Urban Outfitters, in about a week.

IMHO If we start talking about coolness and trends it's a bad move for photography, because the places where it sells isn't what makes it interesting, cool or appealing, except for a part of the population that think that they can buy style, so if it gets identified with a trend as any trend it will pass without looking back.

On the other hand, better there than nowhere

 

[david b]

Beggars cannot be choosers.

Just be happy it's available.

 

[eli griggs]

So is Polaroid just selling the machinery and not selling or leasing the processes, such as Type 55?

Eli

 

[Muihlinn]

Beggars cannot be choosers.
Just be happy it's available.

Only up to certain point.

It was gone once, so some people may not be too tempted to get into the stuff again if it can be treated (ie dumped out) like a past-season jeans. I'm glad it's back, but also I hope that this is only the first step (on a less "frivolous" selling chain).

 

[ann]

i don't care who is selling sx-70 or 8x10 polariod sheets, i will buy and be happy to do so.

 

[EASmithV]

How does one process an 8x10 Polaroid?

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

How does one process an 8x10 Polaroid?

The material comes in two parts, a negative sheet that is exposed in the camera using a special Polaroid filmholder, and a positive receiving sheet that is combined with the negative sheet in a processor, which is just a device with two metal rollers that joins the two sheets and squeezes the chemical pods. You can probably find the equipment for cheap, since a lot of people (including me) sold theirs when the material just got too expensive to be practical.

 

[ann]

i have one sitting in the cabinet at school, waiting to see if i need to throw it away (painful thought)......perhaps i need to let it stay there awhile longer.

 

[DanielStone]

ooooooohhhhhh..... 8x10 polaroid

yummy! i will now have a reason to invest in a processor sometime soon!

i just hope that they get at least 4x5 out, cause I can't afford the Fuji holder. I also prefer individual sheets to the pack.

but yes, beggars can't be choosers. I still am working through my stock of 600 in the fridge. Its got a yellow cast now, but its ok.

-Dan

 

[coigach]

Here's an article on the 'impossible project' from the BBC news website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8222753.stm

Cheers,
Gavin

 

[Steve Smith]

More Polaroid Revival Information

Here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8222753.stm


Steve.

 

[Andy K]

The Impossible Project

Came across this on the BBC website. Probably old news to many, but interesting just the same:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8222753.stm

 

[Ian Grant]

That's the 3rd thread in less than 24hrs

 

[Jim Chinn]

It has been posted over on the LF Photography site as well. I wish them good luck!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Three threads merged (so far), title updated, thread moved to Polaroid forum.

 

[Ektagraphic]

:munch:....I wonder how much the group of people this will get exposed to will care enough to buy film again.

 

[Sean]

I contacted them to get a link exchange going but haven't heard back..

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Today I saw a sign about the Impossible Project in the main window of an Urban Outfitters store on Broadway near NYU.

It's interesting to consider whether instant prints will appeal to the target market of Urban Outfitters. On the one hand, Polaroid is funky and retro and instant prints are inherently cool, but if it's about taking photos at a party or with your friends and exchanging them instantly, that's not hard to do, I suppose (as someone who doesn't even have a cellphone, let alone one with a camera), with a cellphone cam, and scanning adds a technical barrier to posting instant photos on the internet.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I conducted an interview with Dr. Florian Kaps in the September issue of CiM. Here's the link to the Lulu storefront.

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=4177982

 

[holmburgers]

The Impossible Project - Polaroid Film & Cameras

Hey all,

So I've been following the impossible project, as I'm sure some of you have as well (www.theimpossibleproject.com).

It sounds like things are going well, and Urban Outfitters has joined forces with them. They say film will be for sale in early 2010.... let's hope!

So my question is, any ideas which films they will end of making? I have never shot with Polaroid, and have no familiarity with the different types, sizes, formats, etc.

My motivation for this post is to determine what would be an ideal camera to purchase now, before the film becomes available, and before, presumably, the old cameras start fetching higher prices due to the higher demand.

Any comments or links to websites would be greatly appreciated.

What camera would you recommend? Quality optics, focusing, manual controls are desirable (in that order of importance).

Thanks, cheers!

 

[AgX]

There has been a long discussion going one here discussing technical details of this project.

Anyway, they intend to make an integral film pack. So in case you have got an SX-70 at hand you will be fine.
They stated they are planning to make packs for SX-70, 600 and Spectra.
Furthermore they stated to work on a new camera themselves.

 

[holmburgers]

Awesome, thank you. I guess I probably could've read that myself from the website. Sorry!

Now that you mention it, I do remember them mentioning designing a new camera. That could be very cool....

Thanks again